Time-correlated single-photon counting range profiling and reflectance tomographic imaging

Abstract

Time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) range profiling and imaging provide high resolution laser radar data applicable in several optical remote sensing applications at short and long distances. Excellent range resolution, below centimetres, can be obtained and information about remote objects can be extracted from TCSPC range profiles. The present study describes a TCSPC range profiling system with subcentimetre range resolution applied for remote sensing of objects at short and longer ranges. Experimental results from interrogation of geometrical shapes, reflectance tomographic imaging and range profiling at longer distance in daylight conditions are presented.

Time-Correlated Single-Photon Counting Range Profiling of Moving Objects

“…This corresponds well to the specification of the detector, which gives the largest time jitter of the system components. For a more thorough characterisation of the system response, see [5].…”

“…A more thorough description of the system is found in [5], except for the new monostatic wide FOV transceiver head. …”

Few-photon imaging at 1550 nm using a low-timing-jitter superconducting nanowire single-photon detector

“…Combined with advanced time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) techniques, LIDAR is sensitive to ultra-low levels of light and exhibits excellent depth resolution, which are determined by the detection efficiency (DE) and the timing jitter (TJ) of the optical receivers. Laser ranging [3][4][5] and three-dimensional (3D) imaging [6][7][8][9] based on TCSPC have been progressively investigated in recent years, exhibiting shot-noise limited detection and good surface-to-surface resolution on the millimeter scale.…”